Just come off the pill - any experiences to share?

[Amedea]

Hi, I'm new to this (both site and baby talk) so please bear with me! Just looking for some real experiences, if anyone's willing to share...

About three weeks ago, I finished up my 'last ever' pill packet, as my husband and I are planning to try for a baby next year. I've spoken to my doctor and friends, and decided that although we aren't planning to start trying til next year, it would be better to come off the pill a few months in advance. I have been on the pill since about 16 (now 31) for very painful periods, with only a couple of short-lived breaks, i.e. I went straight back on when I had a 'natural' period, with all the joy that brings. I'm obviously dreading these, and I'm also a bit nervous about finding out if I have any problems which the pill might have masked, e.g. PCOS. As I started the pill quite young, I don't have any idea about my natural cycle, or how long it will take for this to settle down. Finally, I am very nervous about the whole pregnancy/baby thing in general! I hear the end result is worth it but I'm still giving myself the Fear...

I know I've not really asked anything specific, just would be grateful for any advice, experience or thoughts, from anyone who's been in a similar situation, especially re the painful periods! Thanks

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. If you'd like to know more about coming off the pill, we've got some information here. MNHQ

[hev19]

hi amedea and welcome! I've not been on here ling but found everyone really helpful and friendly so really great if you're completely new to it all like me

I've been off the pill a couple of months and it does take while to settle things down, still waiting for my BFP but that's expected. I have found since coming off it I've lost weight, been more in the mood for dtd and had better skin. I had really awful skin which was one of the reasons I went on it 10 years ago so you might find yourself the same without the heavy periods? Anyway best of luck with it all and come join the November bus thread as they are lots of fun

[GnomieGrace]

Hi Amedea, I came off the pill in May, I too had very painful and heavy periods and went on the pill because of this at 19, now 29. My cycles have been hell since May, my first withdrawal bleed, a couple of days after coming off the pill was fine 4 days light bleed mild cramps, heaven compared to how I used too! But after that I didn't have another bleed for 73 days! Then I had another period 18 days after that! Now I seem to have a 31 days cycle but my periods are very painful! And I don't get a lot of ovulation symptoms either. Good luck !

[nowwearefour]

I reckon best to start tryin immediately as you can be v fertile straight after coming off. Worked for me! Dd1 now 8 and perfectly healthy

[Heatherbell1978]

Hi Amedea, I too am new to the site and 'baby chat'(ttc for 4 months). I came off the pill in June and was also having concerns. I'm 35 and was on the pill for 16 years - I was struggling with eating disorders when I was 19 and hadn't had a period for 2 years when I went on the pill. I only went on it to 'regulate' my hormones in a bid to hopefully help myself start to get better. I was pretty much back to full health and normal weight by the time I was 23 but have always had a nagging thing about my fertility as I was 17 the last time I had a 'real' period. Anyway, 27 days after my last pill, I got my period! And every 27 days since. Wasn't expecting that....still waiting for my BFP but fingers crossed eh:-) I've also lost a wee bit of weight and despite a couple of spots at the beginning, my skin is good. Good luck!!

[Camsie30]

Hi Amedea, I've just stopped taking the pill too... its now day 32 and no period.... starting to feel anxious as I'm due to start my tests to find out about my fertility as soon as my period comes! I've NEVER prayed for my period to come in 23 years!!!

[AutumnStar]

Hi Amedea . I came off the pill at the start of September and had my first period about five weeks later. I've noticed I've got better skin and I feel a lot better in myself. I don't think I ovulated during my first cycle but things seem to be getting back to normal now.

I'm in the same situation as you in that we don't want to TTC just yet but wanted to get my body back to normal first!

[ThingsThatGoHumpInTheNight]

Hi Amedea, we are in exactly the same boat. I stopped my pill at the end of the packet 8 days ago as we plan to ttc early next year. I have been on it since 15 (12 years total) so have no idea what my cycle is. I downloaded ovuview which is an app to track your cycle/fertility to help me keep track, I would definitely recommend it so far, very simple and easy to use...keeping my fingers crossed for a period in three weeks or so. Good luck

[Camsie30]

It came today! Phew!

[malterserslover]

I came off the pill mid August, had period about 4 weeks later and again another 4 1/2 weeks after that. So not quite regular yet and I don't think my ovulation is quite there yet either. BFP would be welcome whenever but we are not really trying trying yet but not doing anything to prevent it either if you see what I mean! I am not tracking my ovulation in any which way as I think my body and hormones are still trying to get back to normal. Mind you, I can see it would be soooooo easy to get really into tracking and symptom spotting but for now I am trying to stay away from it.........

I too had very painful and heavy periods before going on the pill but they have been pretty good since coming off. I think my skin is not quite so sure what it is doing though - I used to get a lot of spots and the pill helped with that but now they seem to come and go! That said, I think that too is beginning to settle so getting there on all fronts! In general I feel miles better than when I was on the pill - looking back I can now see how much it affected my mood and cannot understand why on earth I used to get upset about the most ridiculous things!!!

Good luck :-)

[RetroHippy]

Amedea and ThingsThatGoBump, me too! Finished my pack a couple of weeks ago. So far usual breakthrough bleed and raging horniness , but that might just be cause I'm excited .

Planning to start TTC after Christmas (so I can enjoy the odd sherry!), it'll go so fast, but yep, not looking forward to my 'normal' periods or the return of my teenage acne.

maltesers, it's weird, I get the opposite. Pre-pill my PMT would turn me into an hormonal crazy lady, the pill calmed me down and reduced stopped the irrational rage. I've got a feeling DH is in for a rocky ride whether TTC or pg!!

[Amedea]

Thanks for all the comments, everyone! Really reassuring that other people are in the same situation with the same worries.

I never had particularly bad skin as a teenager, and I've had the occasional belter of a spot even whilst on the pill, so I'm hoping that coming off won't result in a sudden break-out! May stock up on spot treatments just in case...

I've not been feeling any different just yet, but it has only been three and a bit weeks, so I'll give it a few more before I expect anything. Have noticed my boobs are getting sore so I'm expecting the Period From Hell to make an appearance quite soon... fingers crossed the 15-odd years of taking the pill have sorted things out so it won't be as awful as it was last time I tried to come off!

I'm also keen to see if my husband notices any difference in me re PMT - he can be a bit oblivious sometimes though. Maybe a bit TMI, but he had to be reminded that we are now using condoms for a couple of months. Not quite ready to try just yet... roll on 2014!

[Serafinaaa]

I started taking the pill at age 16 and have recently stopped aged 31. I took my last pill in June then had a six week wait before my first proper period. During that time I had all kinds of strange hormonal symptoms such as greasy skin, greasy hair, hot flushes etc! However, since that first period everything seemed to click back into place. I was also worried that the pill had masked some terrible underlying condition but the reality was that my periods stayed just as light, or lighter, than when on the pill, pretty much painless and completely regular with a 28 day cycle. Try not to worry! I actually went to the doctors the day before my period started again as there are fertility problems in my family... Felt a bit silly the next day.

[SaraRB123]

Hi there - I'm also very new to this whole thing!! I'm almost 27, my partner 32. We've been together for almost 10 years and have decided to ttc#1. I literally came off the pill on Friday, and already have sore boobs, feel bloated and achy in my lower ab, and a bit tired - exactly how I feel before a period, could this be my withdrawal bleed so soon? Xx

[Tea1Sugar]

I came off mercilon in may. Period arrived back after 25 days to my delight. I never got a second period as I got pregnant second cycle Now 14+6 with dc2. And Dd was conceived on the pill! We're all different, stay positive

[ThingsThatGoHumpInTheNight]

How is everyone else getting on? I feel awful Not sure if it is pill related but my body no longer seems to be able to control its temperature, I have had terrible headaches and felt sick on and off for the last three days. I have got a bit of a snuffle and a cough so don't know if this is the cause and it's really nothing to do with the pill...anyone else?

[Amedea]

Well, I feel a bit daft really for worrying so much about my period as it arrived on Sat (26 days after finishing the pill) and aside from some minor cramp (more than I got on the pill but nothing too horrendous) it has been absolutely fine, if a bit heavier than I'm used to. TMI??

Haven't actually noticed anything else that others have mentioned - no break-outs, temperature changes or massive PMT - yet. Fingers tightly crossed. I still think it might take a while for things to settle down but I'm holding my breath that there's nothing too traumatic in the pipeline!

[Sausagesaurus]

Thingsthatgobump, hope you feel better soon

Amedea, I know how you feel re daft! I was stressing too, worrying that it wouldn't come. Mine eventually came 32 days after I last took my pill but it only lasted 3 days. This is unusual for me as AF usually lasted 5-7 days, even a withdrawal bleed lasted around 7 days for me so was a bit shocked when there was nothing there yesterday. I'm sure this is nothing to worry about though.

(TMI) I must say though, it was VERY heavy! I had to buy the super tampons for the first time EVER! I couldn't believe it. I was completely shocked at how heavy it was.

I haven't noticed anything else either, I used to get a break out of spots on my face, but this appears to have happened at the top of my back and nothing on my face but that'sit! Lets hope our next few cycles are regular!

xxx

[Sausagesaurus]

Just noticed my mistake! Thingsthatgohump not bump!

[ThingsThatGoHumpInTheNight]

Glad to hear your periods have appeared. I am 17 days since my last pill and had a normal withdrawal bleed after it, as I would in my normal 7 day break. Hoping the temp/sickness issues are an actual illness and AF will arrive in 10 days or so and all will be hunky dory...working from home today as couldn't face the bus to work, it made me feel so ill last night-first time I've ever been travel sick in my life!

[keepswimming1]

Hi all,
I came off the pill in May and had all kinds of horrible symptoms. headaches, stomach aches, feeling dizzy &hot, my legs would twitch when I was in bed, to name a few, so hang in there. :)
I still suffer with Ovulation pain but I don't mind that at least I can roughly pin point when Its going to happen (except this month) Our bodies certainly play tricks on us x
Good luck all

[rosiegal]

Hi Amedea and others. I'm fairly new to all this too but I also find it helpful to read about other peoples experiences (sometimes terrifying too) My story is similar, OH and I have decided to start trying so I came off cerazette 19th September. I didnt have any periods while taking this pill and I then didnt bleed until 19th October, I was just so excited that something was happening but I'm still not sure if it was a withdrawel bleed or an actual period. It lasted about 6 days and was extremely light but I've never suffered from heavy periods (even as a teen, lucky me!) I think ovulated last month because looking back I had EWCM and back ache but no other symptoms. I've now started keeping a diary so I can keep track, and obsess! I did even think my bleed could have been implantation but a BFN has ruled that out. Oh well back to the drawing board......

[technobimbo92]

I came of the pill 8th of august 2013 and i got my first period the 18th of september :) i had lots bleeding of and on and sore boobs etc but i know alot of women struggle getting their cycle back. The best thing to do is go on Angus Castus it will help balance your hormones back out and its good for trying to concieve . Make sure keep a diary of your cycles the quicker you understand your cycle the easier it is to pinpoint ovulation. Good luck :) im in the dreaded two week wait x

[rosiegal]

Hi technobimbo, thanks for the tip. I've read a few things about angus castus on here and I looked it up online. I started taking a conception supplement right when I stopped taking the pill and I think I'm going to see if AF turns up before starting anything else. I've started a diary too which makes for inteteresting reading. I just hope I dont leave it anywhere and some stranger picks it up! If it was a period on 19th October then that means I'm also in the 2ww until this weekend. So how are you doing so far? Do you already have children? This will be my first hopefully.... Good luck to you also x

[technobimbo92]

lol i know i have hidden symbols on my calender that other people wouldnt understand if they looked lol ..i already have a son he is 19 months old we want a small age gap but ive never tried to concieve before he was a "suprise" so this is still a new experience for me i just didnt think it would be so frustrating lol i think i just expected to get pregnant the first month x